Good Morning!
Beautiful, no?
My alarm was set for 6:30 this morning, but I had to keep hitting sleep until the sun finally rose just after 7:00 this morning. Darn. Don’t you just hate it when you are forced to sleep in? 
I HAD to wait for the sun to rise because I was dying to get a run in on the beach and running in the dark in an area I’m not familiar with just isn’t my style. So, once the sun was up I grabbed my running gear and was out the door.
My legs felt good, but no good enough to break any speed records or anything. I kept it slow at a 10 minute pace and completed 3 miles in just under 30 minutes. The sand was nice and compacted on the surface – I might as well have been running on a dirt road. The views were also fantastic. I loved having the beach to myself while most people were already on their way to work or still in bed.
After the 3 miles I headed to the hotel restaurant and enjoyed the decently priced breakfast buffet.
$9.95? That works! Especially when you figured the two things I wanted to order (bowl of oatmeal and a bowl of fruit) would have been $12.95 total on their own.
Fruit + Granola
Oatmeal + Peanut Butter
All together
I can’t believe I’ve turned into the person to order oatmeal, but lately it has actually sounded appealing to me, so I’ve been going for it. It’s not like I haven’t changed my mind on things I’ve liked before. It really makes me think twice when ever I say I will never like something – never say never I guess.
Official Race Photos!
The Official Chicago Marathon Photos went up last night and, as per usual, I do not have a good one in the bunch. Bummer. (Ok, the photos aren’t bad, just not great enough to make me want to spend $14.95 on one . )
The Chinatown one has potential, maybe if my eyes were actually open and I didn’t look like I was on the bring of collapsing on the photographer.
And this is about as close as Kelly and I got to a snapshot of our epic finish.
Sooo close! It just needs to be a little to the right and remove the guy in the front. 
Oh well…. our own memory will have to be enough.
Off to work I go!
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
i think race pics are funnier the more horrendous they are!
Caitlin recently posted..Carolina Girls
“The Official Chicago Marathon Photos went up last night and, as per usual, I do not have a good one in the bunch. Bummer.”
Maybe we are looking at different pictures but I think you have a lot of good ones in the bunch!
Leah @ Simply Fabulous recently posted..Family Pictures
Those are flattering photos! When I played basketball in college I swear there wasn’t one good picture of me taken in 4 years
Shannon @ Freshman Yr of Life recently posted..Back to Reality
great photos! can’t believe you ran today! amazing.
melissa (fitnessnyc) recently posted..Staten Island Half Marathon
I’m so jealous you ran along a beach today! And I change my mind all the time about what foods I do and don’t like. I like it when I realize I like something…gives me more options and opens me up to a whole new world of food!
Amanda (Eating Up) recently posted..Save Up- Amazon’s Subscribe & Save
How did you save these?
betsy recently posted..Touching down in Chicago
I clicked on like I was going to buy it to make it bigger then did a print screen shot and cut the photo out.
ah, thank you!
some of mine are funny, I need to copy them.
betsy recently posted..Touching down in Chicago
aw you look cute! i would probably cry if i saw pictures of myself during a marathon! i’m sure i’d look like death!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers recently posted..Tomboy
I think if you have pretty race pics you aren’t running hard enough
haha. They’re not terrible though!
Kelly recently posted..Rainy Days and Tuesday’s Bring Me Down
Haha, great point! My pictures always come out gross and sweaty. Guess that means I’m pushing hard enough!
Alison (Ali on the Run) recently posted..8 Hours- and It Felt So Good
Great pics…you look so strong the entire time. I would HATE to see what my race pics would look like through a marathon. ha!
Andrea (@ Puppy Dog Tales) recently posted..All Time Favorite Cookies!
I was so bummed with my race pics. The sun must have been in my eyes the whole time because I eyes are pretty much closed in every pic or I look like I am in severe pain…..not cute. Oh well, another reason for the next marathon!
I think you have lots of options to chose from if you wanted to buy one — they’re great Meghann! Once again, congrats!
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston recently posted..Friday Fondue
Congrats, again!! You all are so amazing – what a fantastic accomplishment. Running a marathon is DEFINITELY on my “must do” list.
ps – THANK YOU for bidding on my cupcakes! I shipped them out to you this morning. I had to make them a little less-fancy for transport, but hopefully they make it in once piece and taste fabulous!
Thanks for being such a great inspiration <3
It’s hard to justify spending the $$ when I think your personal pics were better!
Glad you got a run in – and for the record, a 10 minute mile is sprinting to me
Biz recently posted..Perfect Scalloped Potatoes
What great pictures! An amazing event, for sure…
Tabitha (From Single to Married) recently posted..Leonardo Is a Stud
I think the photos look great!
Your run along the beach sounds so nice. I won’t get to Florida until March and can’t wait to do the same.
Laura recently posted..Dinner in 1- 2- 3
I got super lucky during my first marathon and had some decent photos. I didn’t have anyone on the sidelines to take pictures of me, so I’m really glad in retrospect! That is one day I hope to never forget. My parents ordered a 3-pic collage + finishining time poster as a gift and I just LOVE it!
Lizz @ Leading the Good Life recently posted..Digging Through The Cupboards
I love oatmeal! Though mostly in the fall to late winter time frame. I make it at home a lot, and add lots of delicious things like nut butters or flax seed or dried cranberries. Since I make it at home, I don’t usually order it while I’m out. I know it’s different for you since you’re traveling right now – but if I’m at a restaurant for breakfast it’s usually a rare occurence and a treat and I’ll get some kind of fancy omelet or something awful for me I’d never make at home like eggs benedict.
RunningOnCoffee recently posted..ifitness neoprene double pouch- First Impressions
I think you look fantastic in the second one!
Aw, I think your race photos are really cute! I love the way you wore your hair. Very adorable.
When you run on the beach, do you run barefoot or with sneakers? I’m always tempted to try it when I travel, but I’m not really sure what the best way to go about doing so is. Would love some tips!
Alison (Ali on the Run) recently posted..8 Hours- and It Felt So Good
A morning run by the water sounds wonderful. Also sounding wonderful, being able to run so quickly that a 10 minute mile is slow. Ha ha, another comment above mentioned it — but I STRIVE for a 10 minute mile. I suppose practice makes perfect (or better)…
Anna @ Doing Good & Living Well recently posted..Lurking on my camera
Your race pics look awesome!! I only have two from my half-marathon and in both of them, I look either really pissed or annoyed. Here’s hoping I get some better ones in my next race!
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat recently posted..So Sleepy
I think those pictures are all pretty great! My race photos always look like I’m going to die or something. I have not yet mastered the looking-good-while-running thing like you girls have.
I love the 4th one! I think it’s great.
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday recently posted..Happy Thanksgiving!
I think the pics turned out great!
Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life recently posted..Back at it in the Gym
Keep checking back throughout the week to see if they add any new finish line photos. There are NONE of me crossing the finish line up yet and when I emailed MarathonFoto they said they were still identifying and uploading photos. So, fingers crossed they find a better one of you guys at the finish.
Erin recently posted..Chicago Marathon Race Report
Running on the beach first thing in the mornings is the best feeling in the world! Glad you got a chance to rest a bit and hope you enjoy the day!
Lauren recently posted..Hartford Weekend Away
AWESOME race photos!!! Those should be framed!
Lisa recently posted..I’ll Take a Case of Wine Please
Love seeing the photos. And running on the beach sounds like such a peaceful day. I can’t believe the cost of oatmeal and fruit alone. Why would anyone not get the buffet?
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun recently posted..most common fitness mistakes
You got some good ones in there! Again, so proud of you!
Smash @ Appreciate The Now recently posted..Sweets For My Sweetie
I think your race pics are awesome! You made the effort to smile
Sana recently posted..All This World Needs is Some Love -
race photos frustrate me so badly sometimes! I have been known to purposfuly hold back until no one is around or sprint ahead to be in a elarning for good pics. whats a few seconds, right?
Heather recently posted..I Heart Mexican Food